Wichita eagle., 1887-05-08
INTERVIEWED.
From the St. Lous. Republican.

From the st. LOUIS Republican.
Col. NJ. n. Murdoch, editor of the Daily
EAGLE of Wichita, Kan, is at the South.
ern in all the glory of spring suit and
white soft hat, and Overlooking with the
buoyancy of spirit that is one of the lead
ing characteristics of the enterprising
journalists of Kansas. ''Marsh" Murdoch
is one of the oldest and best known news
paper men in the great state where the men
escort their wives and daughters to the
polls as they do to church in other states,
and no man has been more promine tly
identified with her progress. He has been
a member of the state senate several terms
and has held other important official posi-
lions. In appearance he greatly resembles
Southern's well known character,
Lord Dundreary, but, unlike that singu
larly sanguine gentleman, he never in
dulges in great schemes having neither top,
sides nor bottom. Still, he originated one
scheme for which the people of Wichita
are truly thankful, for there have indeed
been millions in it." They affectionately
call him 1.-The daddy of the BOOM" Some
time ago he found it necessary to add an
other story to his printing establishment,
and he reserved front room in the addi-
ton for his private Office. Before it was
completed a number of friends came to
him and asked permission to furnish his
Office He consented and now he has
probably the finest furnished Office In the
country. The carpet is Wilton, brought
from New York; the curtains cost 500
a pair; the desk is a most elab-
crate affair; the ceiling is beauti-
fully frescoed and the walls are artistically
decorated; full length mirrors. statuary and
paintings adorn the room; altogether the
office resembles millionaire's parlor, ST.
800 having been expended in its decora-
ton. A representative of the Frank Les
lie publications visited Mr.. Murdoch In his
Office short time ago and was astonished
at its magnifcence. Mrs. Frank Leslie, he
said, thought she had an elegant Office, but
it could not compare with the sanctum
from which the Wichita ''boom"
articles emanated. Speaking of Wich-
tia yesterday Mr.. Murdoch said: 1.-THE
boom is still on. Seventy-three build
ing permits were issued last week and the
transfers of real estate, amounted to about
$500, 900. The issue of building permits
since January has averaged eight per day
and the smallest weekly sales during that
period were 100000 while during some
weeks the sales have gone above $4,000,
600. The greatest trouble we have now
is getting stone for foundations. Train
load after train-loa arrives in the city daily,
and still operations ON great many build
ings are delayed for weeks; but improve
ments have been made or projected on nearly
all the property bought since the opening of
the boom. Standing on an elevation the
town looks like 1t was composed entirely
of new houses. How many houses have
been erected this Year, Well. hardly
know, but l don't believe it would be much
under 400. Last June we had 81 900 in
habitants; now the population is estimated
at 40, 600.
Murdoch is accompanied by Messrs. J.
Fl. Richards, N. F. Niederlander, A. w.
Oliver, r. Harding and Kos. Harris, all
prominent citizens of Wichita